Drawing with Flowers, Butterflies, and Insects

Shafi' 'Abbasi

dated A.H. 1059/CE 1649–50 · Ink on paper · Islamic Art

Shafi' 'Abbasi was an artist at the court of the Safavid ruler, Shah 'Abbas II (1642–1666) in Isfahan. Inspired by European botanical prints circulating in Isfahan at the time, his sensitively rendered flower compositions included images of birds, butterflies, and other insects. Unlike his father, the renowned painter, Riza-yi 'Abbasi, whose works are largely figural, Shafi' focused on nature. He launched a genre of botantical compositions, which became widely admired in Iran and flourished well into the late 19th century.

Artist

Shafi' 'Abbasi

Date

dated A.H. 1059/CE 1649–50

Medium

Ink on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Estate of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, in memory of Dr. Abolbashar Farmanfarmaian, 2021